§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage share of total departmental spending was accounted for by non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1979.
§ Mr. PortilloThe information for the Chancellor of the Exchequer's departments is set out in the table. This information is not readily available for 1979–80 and 1980–81.
EC rates as at 1 February 1993 Standard rate Higher rate(s) Reduced rate(s) Coverage of zero-rating United Kingdom 17.5 — — wide range Belgium 19.5 — 1, 6, 12 minimal Denmark 25.0 — — minimal France 18.6 — 2.1, 5.5 minimal Germany 15.0 — 7 minimal Greece 18.0 — 4, 8 minimal Ireland 21.0 — 2.5, 12.5 wide range Italy1 19.0 — 4, 9, 12 minimal Luxembourg1 15.0 — 3, 6, 12 minimal Netherlands 17.5 — 6 nil Portugal2 16.0 30 5 minimal Spain3 15.0 — 3, 6 minimal 1The 12 per cent. rate is a "parking" rate which is a transitional measure provided for in EC law (VAT Directive 92/77/EEC) and applies to supplies previously taxed at the reduced rates. 2Lower rates of 12, 21 and 4 per cent. are applied in autonomous region of the Azores archipelago. 3New rate of 3 per cent. introduced with effect from 1 January 1993.